Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the unveiling ceremony of the Copper and Gold Project of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc. (SMMCI) on May 28, 2025 in Barangay Timamana, Municipality of Tubod, Province of Surigao del Norte. Key officials including DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, SMMCI President and Chief Executive Officer Eualio B. Austin, Jr., Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, and Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers took part in the said ceremony. In her keynote message, Secretary Loyzaga highlighted the project’s importance not only to local economic growth but also to the national agenda of promoting responsible and sustainable mineral development. Secretary Loyzaga emphasized that the country’s true competitive advantage lies not merely in mineral extraction, but in the way resources are mined. She stressed that the nation’s mineral wealth should be measured not only by continue reading : DENR Secretary leads unveiling ceremony of SMMCI Copper and Gold Project

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in collaboration with the Caraga State University, conducted the Refresher Training Workshop on ICT4RM 2.0 for Online Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) on May 6, 2025 at Gateway Hotel in Surigao City. Attended by representatives from Caraga mining companies, the workshop on the ICT4RM 2.0 Web Application marks a significant step forward in enhancing digital support for the Responsible Mining Portal. This newly upgraded system introduces advanced features and user-friendly interfaces that strengthen the implementation of the SDMP and Environmental Monitoring efforts. ICT4RM 2.0 is a digital platform that helps the Bureau, mining companies, and communities share information, work together, and make better decisions using predictive analytics and shared knowledge. It also includes a mobile application that makes it easier for people in the field to report and access data. This approach helps make data collection, program delivery, and rule-following continue reading : MGB ROXIII, CSU conduct Refresher Training Workshop on ICT4RM 2.0 for Online SDMP